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With a week to go before Miguel Cotto and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez meet in one of the most anticipated showdowns of 2015, boxing fans may be reluctant to throw down pay-per-view cash for a UFC fight. Especially a UFC fight with 18-1 odds.

But, in the ever compelling boxing versus mixed martial arts debate, Albuquerque’s Holly Holm may have a shot to score arguably the most notable victory for the sweet science in the history of the series. She is one of the more accomplished former boxers to try her hand at mixed martial arts, and she is undefeated since entering the Octagon in 2011.

But she’ll be meeting perhaps the most intimidating, dominant fighter of this generation – boxing or MMA, male or female - in Ronda Rousey, a burgeoning global superstar known for her medieval “armbar” takedowns. They’ll meet for the UFC women’s bantamweight title at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia (8 p.m., today, UFC 193, pay-per-view).

Holly the Boxer

Boxers such as James Toney have tried their hand in the Octagon, only to get embarrassed. But Toney was overweight and over-the-hill when he was taken down by Randy Couture in 2010. It turned out to be one of the most pitiful performances in the history of MMA.

This is not expected to be that. At age 34, Holm is still in her prime. Since her MMA debut in 2011, Holm is 9-0, with six TKO’s and three decisions. It’s not surprising that she has zero submissions. That’s not her strength. Her game is classic, stand-up boxing. And some think that, if the “Preacher’s Daughter” can avoid having her back hit the mat in the early seconds, she may have a shot to score what would be the UFC equivalent of Douglas over Tyson.

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As a boxer, Holm was 33-2-3 (9 KO’s). She’s a 5-foot-8 southpaw who won the International Boxing Association and World Boxing Federation female super lightweight titles, and the International Boxing Association female welterweight title. The proliferation of titles in women’s boxing is as bad as it is in men’s, so what all those acronyms mean is that Holm was pretty good. As evidenced by her record, she was more boxer than slugger, with a solid jab and good boxing skills.

But how well will those boxing skills translate to the Octagon? Can a good boxer like Holm give a multi-faceted martial artist like Rousey fits?

Rousey's toughest fight?

UFC welterweight Matt Brown said he thought Holm would be the toughest test of Rousey’s career. He cites her discipline, experience, and defensive ability as skills needed to disrupt “Rowdy’s” aggressive game.

The stage is a factor, too. UFC 193 is easily expected to break the UFC’s all-time single-event attendance record of more than 55,000. Etihad could sell out – meaning 70,000 strong. It’s a long way from Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque, where Holm fought her last boxing match, a 10-round decision over Mary McGee in 2013.

There’s a reason the 28-year-old Rousey, 12-0, is a huge favorite. The UFC women’s bantamweight champion has won 11 of her fights in the first round – nine by the dreaded armbar. She’s possibly the closest thing to a prime Mike Tyson the fistic world has seen in a quarter century. Her vast array of skills is expected to overwhelm what is considered a one-dimensional opponent.

But if Holm can stay on her feet and do her thing – box – you never know.

Ronda Rousey, wearing a shirt with portraits of former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali (L) and the late US singer Elvis Presley (R), responds to questions during media day in Glendale, California. Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images

Ronda Rousey has used her terrifying armbar to become one of the biggest stars in the UFC and the greater sports world. Rousey is 12-0 and the UFC women's bantamweight champion. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Rousey with her mom AnnMarie after the 17-year-old won the Senior National Judo Championships in 2004. AnnMaria won the U.S.'s first World Judo Championship in 1984.. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports